Recovery And Hope

“You are Never Alone”

“You have to want to stand up; this is the indispensable condition! You will find an outstretched hand ready to help you; no one is able to stand up in your place. But you are never alone! The Church and so many people are close to you. Look ahead with confidence. Yours is a long and difficult journey, but look ahead… Do not let yourself be robbed of hope!

(Pope Francis, address at St. Francis of Assisi Hospital addiction treatment and rehabilitation center in Rome, July 24, 2013)

Our nation is in the grips of an opioid crisis that is destroying the lives of too many people, which may include you or your loved ones and friends. People young and old, rich and poor suffer from the vicious cycle of drug addiction and substance abuse. The opioid crisis is not limited by race or ethnic lines, nor is it contained by neighborhood boundaries.

But you are not alone. Don’t let feelings of isolation or embarrassment keep you from seeking help. There are resources and services available for people suffering from addiction to opioids and other drugs, alcohol and self-destructive behaviors.

For Families and Loved Ones

You are not alone. Millions of people suffer from addictions, and like you, their family members and loved ones are adversely affected. Remember you are not to blame. Although you cannot change your loved one’s behavior, you can encourage them to seek help that is readily available to them. Below are helpful resources for you and for your loved one that is battling addiction.

Talking To Your Loved One About Their Addiction

There is no one right thing to say when talking with a loved one or friend who is suffering from addiction. What’s important is how and why you do so. Approach them with genuine concern and compassion. Be calm, firm and resolved. Addiction is a cunning disease, so be prepared if the person tries to blame you or others, or convince you that they don’t have a problem. Stay centered and focused on his or her well-being, and remember that you are helping out of love. Consider the following suggestions:

Reassure them that you are bringing this up out of love and concern for them

Listen well and pause before responding

Be ready to provide help if it is sought

Do not get pulled into stories or justifications

Set limits for yourself

Don’t promise what you can’t offer

Know you are not to blame

Help Is Available

Free Resources

Private Insurance for Addiction Recovery

Private insurances vary in coverage, but most will pay some or all of the costs of inpatient or detox programs, outpatient therapy and other medical treatments for addiction recovery. If you have insurance, the place to start is calling the number on your insurance card for information regarding your benefits for addiction-related services.

Help is also available for people without insurance, or for with insurance that does not provide coverage for addiction treatment.

Register For Medicare or Medicaid

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

For Friends and Colleagues

Addiction is a disease. People who suffer from an addiction, whether to drugs, alcohol, or other self-destructive behaviors, need professional help and should seek treatment. Talking with your loved one, friend or colleague isn’t easy. But doing nothing can be much worse. So plan ahead. Read the literature. If you can, enlist other friends or family members in the effort to get the person battling addiction to seek help.

Talking To Your Friend or Colleague About Their Addiction

Don’t do it alone. Bring other friends and loved ones into the conversation if you can. Talking with a close friend or colleague about their alcoholism or drug problem isn’t easy. The words you use and approach you take will vary with each situation, depending on your relationship with the person who is struggling, and what stage of addiction or recovery they are in. Here are some tips:

Be respectful, don’t accuse

Express sincere concern and love

Identify a specific behavior that has you concerned

Let him or her know you are there to help

Be prepared with resources

Be aware of blame-shifting. Don’t get pulled into that type of conversation.

Help Is Available

Free Resources

Private Insurance for Addiction Recovery

Private insurances vary in coverage, but most will pay some or all of the costs of inpatient or detox programs, outpatient therapy and other medical treatments for addiction recovery. If you have insurance, the place to start is calling the number on your insurance card for information regarding your benefits for addiction-related services.

Help is also available for people without insurance, or for with insurance that does not provide coverage for addiction treatment.

Register For Medicare or Medicaid

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

For Pastors And Community Leaders

Addiction is a disease. People who suffer from an addiction, whether to drugs, alcohol, or other self-destructive behaviors, need professional help and should seek treatment. Talking with your loved one, friend or colleague isn’t easy. But doing nothing can be much worse. So plan ahead. Read the literature. If you can, enlist other friends or family members in the effort to get the person battling addiction to seek help.

Talking to a Parishioner About Their Addiction

Pastors will certainly encounter people struggling with addiction. Parishioners who have substance abuse or drinking problems or who are struggling with other addictions often seek help from their pastor or a parish priest, inside or outside the confessional. And frequently, concerned family members or friends of someone in active addiction or struggling in recovery will reach out to a priest or deacon to seek help for that person and advice or support for themselves.

It is important for the Church’s ministers to keep in mind that addiction is a disease that requires professional assistance and medical treatment. Nonetheless, spirituality, faith, pastoral care, and the sacraments can all play an important part in achieving sobriety and supporting long-term recovery from abuse and addiction.

Some things to consider when talking with a parishioner who is suffering from addiction or struggling to remain sober and in recovery:

Assure them that God is with them and will never abandon them.

While they may feel powerless, they can lean on God’s power to heal and save.

While others can help and support, no one can do this for them. They must choose to seek the help necessary to become sober and well again.

While they may have caused much pain and hurt for family and friends, the best thing they can do to remedy those hurts is to choose to seek help for themselves first.

Inform them that there is always hope because help is available to them.

Help Is Available

Free Resources

Private Insurance for Addiction Recovery

Private insurances vary in coverage, but most will pay some or all of the costs of inpatient or detox programs, outpatient therapy and other medical treatments for addiction recovery. If you have insurance, the place to start is calling the number on your insurance card for information regarding your benefits for addiction-related services.

Help is also available for people without insurance, or for with insurance that does not provide coverage for addiction treatment.

Find Treatment and Support

Are you or someone you know suffering from a prescription drug or heroin problem? Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for information about treatment resources. Your call is completely confidential. This hotline, staffed by trained professionals, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available in both English and Spanish.

Insurance Coverage

Private insurance will cover addiction recovery programs and detox programs. Not every private insurance policy includes addition recovery or detox programs but many do.

In addition to private insurance, people suffering from substance addictions can qualify for medical assistance (Medicade or Medicare). Be sure to ask what insurance or medical support is available for people going to recovery programs, sober living communities or detox programs.

Community Care Behavioral Health Member Services

County Department of Drug and Alcohol

Opioid Overdose

Pennsylvania is in the midst of an opioid overdose epidemic. An opioid overdose is a life-threatening medical emergency and requires immediate medical care. People who take high doses of opioid prescription painkillers or have a history of substance abuse are at risk of an opioid overdose. Medications like Naloxone can reverse the effects of an overdose.

Drug Overdose Deaths in 2017

0

Philadelphia

0

Delaware County

0

Bucks County

0

Montgomery County

0

Chester County

Signs and Symptoms of an Opioid Overdose

A history of current narcotic or opioid use or fentanyl patches on skin or needle in the body.

Unresponsive or unconscious individuals.

Not breathing or slow/shallow respirations

Snoring or gurgling sounds (due to partial upper airway obstruction).

Blue lips and/or nail beds.

Pinpoint pupils.

Clammy skin.

Naloxone (NARCAN)

Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose due to opioid use (prescription pain medication or heroin) and restore breathing within minutes. Family members and friends can obtain a prescription for Naloxone from their family doctor or use the standing order. Naloxone is available at most pharmacies and insurances vary on how they cover Naloxone.

Opioid Addiction Recovery and Hope

Opioid addiction is a particular aggressive form of the disease. People can gradually become addicted to prescription drugs and/or heroin in an ever-deepening spiral that can turn deadly through overdose. This is not simply due to a lack of willpower or moral character. People become addicted to opioids for many different reasons in a variety of ways, and no matter what, each must face the challenging and difficult task of breaking an all too frequently repetitive cycle of addiction, recovery, and relapse. Often, the most critical time when support is needed most is after a person has been in recovery and then relapsed. Relapse is common and should not be interpreted as a lack of commitment to the difficult path of long-term recovery and sobriety.

But difficult does not mean impossible, and with the right help and supportive environment, sobriety and recovery are indeed achievable. Catholic Social Services has compiled a list of resources to provide you with access to information, help, hope and recovery.

Free Resources

Private Insurance for Addiction Recovery

Private insurances vary in coverage, but most will pay some or all of the costs of inpatient or detox programs, therapy and other medical treatments for addiction recovery. If you have insurance, the place to start is calling the number on your insurance card for information regarding your benefits for addiction-related services.

Help is also available for people without insurance or for with insurance that does not provide coverage for addiction treatment.

Community Care Behavioral Health Member Services

County Department of Drug and Alcohol

Register for Medicare or Medicaid

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Alcoholism Recovery and Hope

Alcoholism is a disease. People become alcoholics for different reasons and their addictive behaviors may present in a variety of manners. But alcoholics suffer from an addiction like any other. They are not bad people who simply lack willpower or moral character. Alcoholism hurts the person who drinks to excess, but also harms their family, friends, loved ones and colleagues. There are proven programs for help and support.

You are not alone. Catholic Social Services has compiled a list of resources to provide you with access to information, help, hope and recovery.

Free Resources

Private Insurance for Addiction Recovery

Private insurances vary in coverage, but most will pay some or all of the costs of inpatient or detox programs, therapy and other medical treatments for addiction recovery. If you have insurance, the place to start is calling the number on your insurance card for information regarding your benefits for addiction-related services.

Help is also available for people without insurance or for with insurance that does not provide coverage for addiction treatment.

Community Care Behavioral Health Member Services

County Department of Drug and Alcohol

Register for Medicare or Medicaid

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Drug Addiction Recovery and Hope

Drug addiction is a disease. People may become addicted to prescription medications, cocaine, heroin or other substances. They are not bad people who don’t have moral character or lack willpower. People become addicted to drugs for many different reasons and act out their addiction in many different ways. Helping people overcome drug addiction is a challenging and difficult task.

But you are not alone. Catholic Social Services has compiled a list of resources to provide you with access to information, help, hope and recovery.

Free Resources

Private Insurance for Addiction Recovery

Private insurances vary in coverage, but most will pay some or all of the costs of inpatient or detox programs, therapy and other medical treatments for addiction recovery. If you have insurance, the place to start is calling the number on your insurance card for information regarding your benefits for addiction-related services.

Help is also available for people without insurance or for with insurance that does not provide coverage for addiction treatment.

Community Care Behavioral Health Member Services

County Department of Drug and Alcohol

The content and information included on this webpage is not directly affiliated with Catholic Social Services. Links to websites and phone numbers are for outside organizations not affiliated with Catholic Social Services. Catholic Social Services is not responsible for the content provided by these outside organizations.